106 
WILD CHERRY TREE. 
The bark of this tree is so peculiar as to render it distinguishable at first 
sight, when from its height the form of its leaves cannot be discerned. The 
trunk is regularly shaped, but the bark is blackish and rough, and detaches 
itself semi-circularly in thick, narrow plates, wkich are renewed after a 
considerable lapse of time. 
The perfect wood is of a dull, light red tint, which deepens with age. 
It is compact, fine-grained and brilliant, and not liable to warp when per- 
fectly seasoned. It is extensively employed in the small towns of the Mid- 
dle and Western States for every species of furniture : and when chosen 
near the ramification of the trunk it rivals Mahogany in beauty. The Wild 
Cherry Tree is generally preferred to the Black Walnut, whose dun com- 
plexion with time becomes nearly black. Among the trees that grow east 
of the Mississippi, it is the most eligible substitute for Mahogany. On the 
banks of the Ohio, at Pittsburg, Marietta and Louisville, it is employed in 
ship-building, and the French of Illinois are said to use it for the fellies of 
wheels. 
In the lumber-yards of New York and Philadelphia, Wild Cherry wood 
is sold in planks of different thicknesses, which are employed for bed-steads 
and other articles of furniture. Planks are sent from Kentucky to New 
Orleans, where they are also employed in cabinet-making. 
The Wild Cherry Tree deserves a place in the forests of Europe, and it 
is especially adapted to the northern departments of France, and to the 
country along the Rhine, which are the most analogous to its native regions. 
To recommend its propagation to the foresters of Europe, is at the same 
time to invite those of America to preserve it with care, and to favor its 
reproduction ; they should leave on foot the old stocks of the natural growth 
for the purpose of furnishing seed, and favor the increase of the young trees 
by destroying those of other species by which it might be impeded. 
PLATE LXXXVIII. 
A branch with leaves and fruit of the natural size. 
[The bark is bitter and aromatic, its taste being strong, penetrating, and 
not disagreeable. It is undoubtedly, a useful tonic, and appears to possess 
in some degree, narcotic and antispasmodic properties. The latter quality 
is strongest in the recent state of the bark, and in the distilled water. In 
Europe, Ç. Virginiana is planted solely as an ornamental tree ; and as such, 
deserves a place in every collection ; and it should be planted in every 
shrubbery where it is desirable to attract frugivorous singing birds. 
Soil, propagation, fyc. It prefers a dry soil, but will grow in almost any 
situation. The species is propagated by seeds.] 
